Page 56 of The Highlander's Auctioned Virgin
“Thank ye for yer concern. This is why we need to get married as soon as possible. I just escaped a dreadful marriage with Murdock and managed to anger over twenty lairds when we returned from the cabin. I’m nae safe while I’m single.”
Ciaran nodded, watching any vulnerability vanish from her face like smoke beneath leaves.
She truly wanted this done soon while she still had control. A part of him hated that she had been conditioned to think like that, and he hated even more that she was right. Shewasin danger.
“I will never let anyone put that look in yer eyes again.”
Elinor laughed. He couldn’t tell if she appreciated the promise or if she was just masking the pain she felt inside.
“As long as ye’re nae the one to put the look in me eyes, I am nae exactly worried.”
She didn’t wait for him to respond before walking to the door. When she put her hand on the handle, she turned back to him, a look of resignation on her face.
“Goodnight, Ciaran.”
He nodded. “See ye tomorrow morning, Elinor.”
Elinor stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her, leaving him alone.
Ciaran took one final look at the parchment scattered across the desk, at the shelves that seemed to stretch into darkness, and the flames consuming the wicks of the candles.
“I hope ye rot in the deepest parts of hell, ye bastard,” he muttered to the room.
